Helen grasped his arm. "Alas, my poor damsels! I will go with
you, whither you will, to be far from him."
As Murray threw his arm about her waist, to impel her failing steps,
his eyes fell on the banner and the suit of armor.
"All else must be left," exclaimed he, seizing the banner; and hurrying
Helen forward, he hastened with her down the stairs which led from the
western watch-tower to the vaults beneath the castle. On entering the
first cellar, to which a dim light was admitted through a small grating
near the top, he looked round for the archway that contained the avenue
of their release. Having descried it, and raised one of the large
flags which paved the floor, he assisted his affrighted cousin down a
short flight of steps, into the secret passage. "This," whispered he,
"will carry us in a direct line to the cell of the prior of St. Fillan."
"But what will become of my father, and Lady Mar? This flight, while
they are in danger! oh! I fear to complete it!"
"Rather fear the libertine Soulis," returned Murray, "he can only make
them prisoners; and even that injury shall be of short duration. I
will soon join the brave Wallace; and then, my sweet cousin, liberty,
and a happy meeting!"
"Alas! his venerable harper," cried she, suddenly remembering Halbert;
"should he be discovered to have belonged to Wallace, he, too, will be
massacred by these merciless men.
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